Still reeling from the triumph of Democrat Josh Gottheimer over right-wing darling Scott Garrett in the November election, Sussex County Republicans recently received a second blow upon learning that their Democratic counterparts are mounting a challenge for all three of District 24’s seats in the State House, as well as for county freeholder.

The Republicans in power are insisting that their epic failure to destroy the Affordable Care Act (which they’d been promising to do the instant they got in charge) and replace it with the tax-cuts-for-the-rich bill Donald Trump apparently thought was “really terrific” on Democrats. They just wouldn’t support it (well, they got that part right.)

U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11) whose district includes the Sussex County municipalities of Byram, Hopatcong, Ogdensburg, Sparta and Stanhope, said Friday he would vote “no” on the administration’s “replacement” for the Affordable Care Act. Frelinghuysen is the new chairman of the power House Appropriations Committee.

Sean Clarkin of Vernon has dropped out of the Democratic Assembly race following an announcement that Gina Trish and Kate Matteson plan to run as a team. They will be competing with Michael Pirog in the June 6 primary.

New Jersey’s public schools serving low-income students—in rural and suburban as well as urban areas—stand to lose services and programs if Donald Trump’s proposed budget becomes reality. The only questions are 1) how much? and 2) How committed will our state legislature and local governments be to making up for the damage?

The deadline for filing a petition to appear on the ballot for most town council seats is Monday, April third. That’s only about two weeks away, but there remains sufficient time to collect the necessary signatures for your petition.